Thursday's letters: Domestic terrorism

Thursday

Aug 15, 2019 at 2:00 AM

Domestic terrorism

To the editor: As a constituent from Hendersonville, I am appalled at the volatility and violence that is occurring in our polarized nation. This is not the America we want, need or deserve. The acts of violence that occurred recently in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, are acts of domestic terrorism and deserve to be viewed as such.

As the ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Government Operations and a congressman who is respected and admired by President Donald Trump, I implore U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows to introduce or co-sponsor a bill in the House of Representatives to treat these acts of violence as domestic terrorism with all the force of international law.

Unfortunately, this alone will not deter further acts of violence. The president must discontinue rhetoric that encourages and incites these deplorable events.

As one who is in a position of power and influence, I urge Rep. Meadows to take a strong stand and petition the president and other members of Congress to reverse the destructive influences that are infecting our nation and move forward with the cherished principles upon which this country was founded — liberty, justice, and inclusion.

Julie Gordon, Hendersonville

Untrue assertions

To the editor: Abortion is a hard enough issue without arguing based on lies. Several times I have read letters repeating a false claim about abortion laws in New York. The claim is that the state laws there allow killing fetuses born alive after an abortion procedure.

Infanticide is against the law everywhere in this country, including New York. In that state, abortion is by choice up to 24 weeks. After that, abortion is only permitted if doctors determine that the fetus is not viable or that continuing the pregnancy will endanger the life or health of the mother.

So-called late-term abortion is the case when, in the process of childbirth, the life of the mother is threatened. There is no other legal permission. Readers can look this up for themselves.

There are moral and religious issues here. Different faiths have different traditions about this. The real issue here is whether the life of the unborn takes precedence over the life of the expectant mother. The medical ethic has the same question. Save the unborn baby or the mother.

The issue is muddied when untrue assertions are made.

What does the Bible say? “Keep thee far from a false matter” (Exodus 23:7).

Philip J. Bentley, Hendersonville

Writer’s rhetoric

To the editor: Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Democrats are all things evil and Republicans are all things pure and patriotic. Apparently, that is the opinion of a recent letter writer (Aug. 7). Obviously, we should hang our heads in shame. Thank you, Ms. Barbara Briley.

I had no idea that my World War II veteran father, a lifelong Democrat, hated America and the American flag. Imagine my surprise to discover that those of us who believe our Constitution is the word of law in America should be ashamed of ourselves.

I was completely flummoxed to find out that my veteran son and my two granddaughters currently serving in the Navy don’t believe in the United States. Perhaps my five ancestors, all brothers who fought in the American Revolution, wasted their time fighting for immigrants yet to come.

Maybe if Ms. Briley actually started to pay attention to what is being said by the opposite side, instead of lacing all her rhetoric with slanderous, unprovable vitriol, and ignoring the First Amendment, she’d feel better. Then again, probably not. Perhaps she would rather salute President Bone Spurs.

Gary Gilchrist, Mills River

Open mind, heart

To the editor: So sorry — that the Times-News would publish such a hate-filled, biased and uninformed letter to the editor (“GOP vs. Dems” by Barbara Briley, Aug. 7). And so sorry — that people in our lovely community feel such hatred and animosity against folks they don’t even know.

As a veteran (Korea) and a Christian, I love all people, I love America, and I believe in freedom and liberty (and fought for both). I am not a socialist or Marxist, but I am a Democrat who believes in treating all humans fairly and justly and who believes in the dignity and worth of all people.

Hendersonville is better that what Ms. Briley presents. Hendersonville is rich in its culture, history and in its diverse population who have more in common than we have in our differences.

We can overcome our differences if we keep an open mind and open heart and reach out to all in love, compassion and forgiveness — just as Christ did.

Larry Winecoff, Hendersonville

E pluribus unum

To the editor: Oh, what a wonderful event occurred on Sunday, July 21, in Brevard! On the outdoor concert stage at the Brevard Music Festival, 80 to 100 high school students from all over our nation played as one! Students were from all races and skin colors. The conductor, Ken Lam, was of Asian descent.

If you watched the players' eyes, Lam had all those students playing as one. He conducted beautifully as he cued introductions by the various players.

The young musicians and the conductor will have pleasant, long-lasting memories of this concert.

The music was challenging. The major piece was “Billy the Kid” by Aaron Copland. A second work was titled “Second Essay for Orchestra, Opus 17,” by Samuel Barber.

The players responded to the dynamics written by the composers. The orchestra received a standing ovation from a diverse audience.

As a treat to both the orchestra and audience, “Overture from Star Wars” was played as an encore. Wonderful!

There was nothing wrong with any of these young Americans. They seemed to get along beautifully. They have studied, practiced and have been rewarded.

I was so proud to be an American, especially in these very trying times.

Dennis Berman, Hendersonville

The Ecusta Trail

To the editor: While driving to Brevard one day this summer, I noticed two men on road bikes riding on Highway 64 toward Hendersonville. They were biking up a hill in heavy traffic on both sides, struggling to stay on the very edge of the highway, changing gears, and literally trying to keep from getting killed.

As I watched them struggle, I looked to my left, and there it was — the railroad track, the potential Ecusta Trail, shining in the sun, straight as an arrow, clear and clean, and empty.

How long is it going to take our area to make the Ecusta Trail a reality, to do the right thing for the environment, for our health, for tourism and our economy, and for an opportunity to realize the real beauty of that part of Henderson and Transylvania Counties?

I sincerely hope the Ecusta Trail is right around the corner.

Cindy Walker, Hendersonville

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